FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2003LARSON VOTES IN FAVOR OF SAFE PRESCRIPTION DRUG REIMPORTATION TO SECURE LOWER COSTS FOR AMERICANS
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) today voted in favor of legislation that would permit the reimportation of FDA-approved prescription drugs to the U.S. from industrialized nations to allow Americans to pay significantly lower prices for medicines. The Pharmaceutical Market Access Act, H.R. 2427, ensures the safety of the drugs, in part, by requiring the use of counterfeit-resistant technology in drug packaging, similar to that used by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on U.S. currency. It also requires extensive certification, documentation and testing for imported products. The measure passed the House by a vote of 243 - 186.
Larson stated: "Reimporting FDA-approved prescription drugs to the U.S. is a safe way to allow Americans to pay significantly less for their medicines, which are currently considerably overpriced in the United States. In recent weeks, the pharmaceutical companies and their backers have been running advertisements across the country, trying to scare Americans into opposing reimportation and continuing to pay some of the highest prices in the world for their prescription drugs. The pharmaceutical companies are terrified that Americans paying lower prices for their prescription drugs will hurt their profits, so it is no surprise that they are behind these misleading ads. I am proud to have voted in favor of this legislation, which supports the interests of Americans, especially seniors, over pharmaceutical company profits."
The bill permits pharmacists, wholesalers and qualifying individuals to reimport FDA-approved drugs made in FDA-approved facilities from 25 industrialized nations. These include Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, and nations in the European Union.
For a Fact vs. Fiction sheet on prescription drug reimportation, please visit:
http://www.house.gov/larson/hr2427facts.htm
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